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Kurt Kern has joined TMB’s sales department, working out of the New York office. Kern brings a wealth of experience in entertainment lighting to his new position. His background includes three years as department head of electrics and sound for the New York Shakespeare Festival and seven years as production manager for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, his four years as national director of purchasing for PRG/Fourth Phase Lighting Group, gave Kurt direct understanding of the needs of the supply side of the industry. Tommy Stephenson, TMB’s sales manager, said of the appointment: "Kurt has a lot of knowledge, is a family man, and he likes beer. He’s going to fit right in! Our professional customers will feel completely at home with him."

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Chad Ward has joined Bandit Lites UK as operations manager. He was previously responsible for Bandit’s account whilst he was a sales representative for Wirral-based Tomcat UK. Bandit Lites UK general manager, Jason Tang, told PLASA Media: "Chad brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time with Tomcat and previously Unusual Rigging. We have a very strong relationship with Tomcat and this move can only strengthen it." Ward will be responsible for procurement, logistics and also act as purchasing manager.
Doughty - Banner - from 6 June 2025

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The continuing expansion of Philips CSI’s range of communications products has resulted in a major restructuring and strengthening of the UK sales team with two new appointments in a move which focuses all communications sales activity into a single new Communications group responsible for the company’s fast growing range of Sound and Public Address, Paging, Intercom and Congress equipment.

Alfred van Wyk has been appointed national sales manager and Paul Ward is now southern regional sales manager. van Wyk takes overall responsibility for all UK sales of PA, intercom, paging and congress systems. He was previously sales manager for Philips PA and Congress products for the North and already has extensive experience with Philips products and markets. He will also continue to focus his personal efforts in the North whilst managing the overall sales activity based in Sunbury.

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It appears that Bob Cashill is no longer editor of Lighting Dimensions magazine. In a notice posted on the publication’s website, a brief statement says that on July 28, publisher Jacqueline Tien appointed David Barbour to head up the editorial staff for Lighting Dimensions. Barbour, a veteran of the Entertainment Design/Theatre Crafts and Lighting Dimensions team, has 11 years' experience with the publications. Prior to that he was the director of the Drama Desk Board, which is second only to the Tony Awards group. Cashill had been appointed editor of Lighting Dimensions in 1996. There is no mention of what his future plans might be.

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West London based Ampekko continues to grow from strength to strength and, as part of their expansion into new premises, have recruited Pat Bradley to head their national sales division. With 25 years’ industry experience in the sales of complex integrated systems, Pat Bradley is well positioned to take on his new role and handle the UK sales of pro audio brands including SLS, from the United States, WHD from Germany and Commax from Korea. As Pat Bradley explained: "I’m so pleased to have joined Ampekko. As a young and forward-thinking organisation, we are committed to introducing these product ranges and expanding their market share. I’m looking forward to playing an active role in the company’s growth and establishing a strong dealer and distribution network across the UK. All of the product lines offer enormous potential across a wide range of systems desi

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Darren DeVerna has joined PRG’s management team in the role of vice president, Production Resource Group, and will be supported by the resources of Fourth Phase New Jersey, ProMix Electrotec Mt. Vernon and Scenic Technologies New York. DeVerna, formerly the President of Four Star Lighting, has been involved with countless theatrical successes such as Annie Get Your Gun, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty, Contact, Kiss Me Kate, Rent, Music Man and many more. Originally employed as an IATSE Local 1 stage hand, his credits also include work with prominent charities, such as the Laurie Beechman Memorial Golf Outing, of which he is co-founder and co-chairman, and the Clearview School for Autistic Children.

In his new role, DeVerna will provide a high level of service and support to the extremely demanding Broadway and theatrica

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Internationally recognized lighting designer Jeff Ravitz, principal of Visual Terrain Inc, has received a Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for his lighting design on the recent Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band special on HBO. Marking the first time Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been presented in concert on television, the special was shot last summer in high-definition format during Springsteen's record-setting, 10-show sell-out at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The concert was the finale of their 1999-2000 world tour. Ravitz had designed the show lighting for the tour and was called in to adapt the design for the needs of television. To that end, he added a subtle amount of audience lighting to enhance that already used in the live show. The live performance uses colour liberally for the artists’ key lighting to reflect emotion and enhance the live s

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UK distributor HW International has appointed Saffron Wynn-Jones to head its marketing department. Based at HW’s North London headquarters, Saffron will be responsible for all aspects of the marketing and work closely with world leading brands such as Shure, QSC, Phonic and PreSonus. Wynn Jones was formerly employed by pro audio reseller LMC Audio Systems as marketing manager.

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Barrie Fraser, formerly of Federal Signal, has joined Next Two (part of MEDC Ltd) as export sales manager. Next Two was taken over by MEDC Ltd in August 2000. The company, an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of manual, visual and audible alarms and loudspeakers for potentially explosive atmospheres and harsh industrial and marine environments, has invested in the business to secure future success in the market for loudspeakers to be used in industrial, commercial and leisure applications.

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Audio Pro Nederland BV has announced the appointment of Peter de Fouw as a partner. De Fouw, until recently managing director of TM Audio Holland BV, will concentrate mainly on developing the distribution activities and increasing the product portfolio for Audio Pro. Rolf Dijkstra, owner and managing director of Audio Pro, and de Fouw have a history of cooperation, and feel that the combined experience will be a key element in the success of the partnership and their new plans.

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Audio Analysts has appointed Bruce Eisenberg has as vice-president of touring. Eisenberg has been in the music industry for the past 25 years, and has worked with many major artist management companies and agencies. Bruce's experience and contacts with record company managers and booking agents will be a great help in acquiring major touring artists for Audio Analysts’ client base. Alan Eisenbach joins the company as the new market touring account executive. Eisenbach’s experience as Sound Engineer and Technical Coordinator for the Grizzly Rose in Denver, Colorado for the past five years has assisted in building a solid base of relationships to work with on a local and national level. "Alan’s contacts in the Rocky Mountain territory and with national touring acts will be a great asset in helping us develop the next generation of our touring clients," states A

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Dugald (Doog) Mackenzie of HW International has been killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. Doog had worked for HW for just over four years as area sales manager for the Midlands and South Wales. He died on Sunday 2 September at just 34 years of age. He leaves behind him a wife and two young children. A book of condolence will be on the HW stand at PLASA which after the show will be presented to his family. Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.

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JBL Professional President Michael MacDonald has announced the appointment of two vice-presidents of sales for the company's worldwide sales efforts and a new vice president of manufacturing operations. Doug Daniel and Tom Weeber have been promoted to VP of international sales and VP of US sales respectively, whilst Jeffery Groenke has been named VP of operations at the company's Northridge, CA headquarters.

Doug Daniel has been with JBL Professional since 1992 in the position of director of European sales and is a seasoned industry veteran. Weeber has been with the JBL sales department since 1993, where he started as regional manager and was later promoted to senior director of US sales. Prior to JBL, Groenke was general manager and engineering manager of Axiohm Transaction solutions and has also been an engineer for Hewlett Packard.

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QSC Audio Products has named Derek Covin as its new manager of inside sales. A 13-year veteran of the pro audio industry, Covin will oversee the daily activities of sales associates based at QSC world headquarters in Southern California, and assist with the implementation of various sales and marketing programs such as special promotions and trade show preparation. "It's my goal to have this department function as an indispensable resource for both internal management and independent representatives in the field," Covin said. "As a vital link in the customer service chain, we'll constantly remain at hand to enhance and maintain our existing business relationships, as well as build new ones."

Covin comes to QSC from Alesis Studio Electronics, where he held a number of positions ranging from manager of global sales administration to western regional sales manager. Whi

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After six years' absence from the pro audio sector, Hans Freytag, former co-owner of C Audio, is joining high-end touring and installation manufacturer Chameleon Audio on a freelance basis as European distribution development manager, with a brief to expand the company’s continental distribution network. Chameleon is no stranger to Freytag - it used to make transformers for C Audio - and he is relishing his new role: "I'm looking forward immensely to working with Paul Houlden and raising further the profile of the company's products on the continent."

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Martin Professional has hired Gorm Teichert as international sales director for the company’s expanding architectural segment. Gorm will begin in the newly created position on November 1st and will be based at the Martin headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark. A 39-year-old Dane, Gorm comes to Martin from a position as managing director for German architectural lighting company Erco. An 11-year veteran of the lighting industry, he has been based in England with Erco the past few years.

President and CEO of Martin Professional, Kristian Kolding, told PLASA Media: "With his extensive knowledge of architectural lighting, Gorm will be the driving force behind our continued expansion into the architectural lighting market." Martin has placed increasing emphasis on the indoor and outdoor architectural lighting market over the past two years, launching a range of dedicated architectu

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Tannoy has appointed Graham Hendry to the position of Engineering Director for Professional Products, where he will head the R&D department at Tannoy's main plant in Coatbridge, Scotland. Graham returns to Tannoy after two years with Northern Light where he was technical manager, responsible for project managing a range of installations. Explaining his reasons for returning to Tannoy, Hendry commented: "Working with Northern Light was a great experience. I had a chance to work on some prestigious projects including The Birmingham Rep, London Coliseum and The Broadway in Peterborough, which was gratifying for me personally. Working in the installation market allowed me to see the industry from a different perspective, something I couldn't experience working solely in manufacturing. To truly understand a customer's needs I believe you have to be one, and my time at Northern Light has

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Eamonn McGonagle has been promoted to professional systems sales manager (UK) at Celestion. In his 18 months with the company, Eamonn has developed his territory in north-east England from a predominantly MI-based marketplace to include some of the UK’s leading sound installation companies and consultants. He will be building on that success with Celestion’s professional systems products throughout the UK. New marketing Eexecutive Jo Barker has transferred to marketing from Celestion’s sales department, where she has been for the last two years. In her new role working with Richard Vivian, she will be coordinating Celestion’s presence at trade shows and events, as well as the company’s product literature and press advertising.

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Marquee Audio has announced two new directorships within the company. The company’s popular and long serving Andy Huffer (pictured) has been promoted to the role of sales director. The move takes into account the broader sales platform that he has helped stimulate since starting at Marquee in 1995, notably increasing the Shepperton company’s penetration into the theatre, studio and AV conference markets.

A new arrival at the Shepperton-based company will be Glen Smith, who joins Marquee Audio as marketing director, with effect from October 1. With 26 years’ experience in the pro audio industry - including stints with Britannia Row, Tasco and TFA - for the past eight years Glen has been running secondhand audio sales company, ISE. At Marquee, he will be targeting the company’s Concert Division. Focusing on sound reinforcement companies, he will be devising a pa

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Avolites has expanded its sales force with the addition of Chris Clarke. Chris graduated from Rose Bruford College with a degree in Lighting Design and has worked on a host of theatrical productions of all types, including as an associate and programmer with top West End lighting designer Chris Ellis. His work with Ellis has included taking the D’oyly Carte Opera production of HMS Pinafore to The Schubert Theatre in Newhaven, New York state. Chris used Avolites kit while at college and his background and hands-on experience is seen as a valuable asset to the Avo team. Avolites’ sales director Steve Warren commented: "It’s great to have Chris on the team. His understanding of the demanding world of theatre production, superb programming and communication skills will strengthen our presence in this exacting area."

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Peter Coles, well-known in the rental, club and leisure business, has taken the post of field sales manager at Lightfactor and will once again use his extensive sales experience ‘on the road’ for one of the UK’s leading sales companies. Lightfactor’s managing director Paul de Ville comments: "We’re delighted to have Peter back on board. His energy and enthusiasm is a great asset to the company and we are looking forward to a busy autumn after a good PLASA Show."

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Coe-tech’s active sales team continues to expand with the addition of Scott Callis. Scott has worked proactively in the moving light business for the past six years, including as a founding member of one of the UK’s leading manufacturers - MAD Lighting. At Coe-tech he’ll be working with the Studio Due and Coemar product ranges, for which Coe-tech is a leading distributor. Coe-tech managing director Ian Brown said: "It’s great to have Scott on the team, and it’s a great opportunity to amalgamate his commercial experience with Coe-tech’s history and track record in this area of production technology."

Scott will be targeting selected rental companies, theatres, AV specialists, architectural installers and venues covering a broad cross-section of the leisure and entertainment industry.

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Vari-Lite Inc has announced the appointment of three lighting industry veterans to fill vital positions as regional sales managers. Craig Burross, Sean Hoey and John McDowell will play key roles as Vari-Lite increases sales and creates new dealer relationships. "The sales experience and extensive background in entertainment production and design that Craig, Sean and John have is going to make a major impact as we move forward with our sales and establish our dealer base," said Bob Schacherl, Vari-Lite's vice-president of sales and marketing. "Each one has already been a top sales rep in this industry and been instrumental in developing new sales strategies and programs. Getting these lighting industry pros to Vari-Lite is a major coup for our company."

An 18-year veteran of entertainment production and design, Burross was key in helping get automated lighting system

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Color Kinetics Inc has appointed William J. Sims as president and chief operating officer. Sims will also join the company's Board of Directors. Color Kinetics co-founder George Mueller - who Sims succeeds as president - will remain CEO, focusing on overall company direction and the development of strategic partnerships. In his new role, Sims will drive the company's sales, marketing, operations and product development, delivering the next wave of advanced digital technologies and positioning the company for growth in the illumination market, which analysts predict will reach close to $30 billion dollars by the year 2010.

Sims brings to Color Kinetics over 20 years of experience in growing both established and emerging companies gained through senior positions at Zenith, JVC and e-SIM. As president and CEO of e-SIM's Live Products division, Sims oversaw all aspects of a successful star

  1. Paul Highfield to E/T/C UK
  2. Further Sales Appointments at Vari-Lite
  3. Jules Lauve Joins Theatre Projects Consultants
  4. New Sales Office Manager for ETC
  5. QSC Appoints Live Sound Systems Specialist
  6. New Advisor for Artec Consultants
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